In Situ Generated Nickel Phosphide Based Catalysts for Hydroprocessing of Levulinic Acid

This article describes the production of unsupported nickel phosphide catalysts generated in situ in a reaction mixture from water-soluble and oil-soluble precursors during the hydroconversion of levulinic acid. These catalysts contain crystalline phases, specifically Ni12P5 and Ni(PO3)(2). During the hydrogenation of levulinic acid in toluene in the presence of NiP-TOP, a lower temperature and a shorter reaction time contribute to the formation of gamma-valerolactone (100% selectivity). A higher temperature and a longer reaction time favor the formation of valeric acid (94% selectivity). In the hydrogenation of levulinic acid in ethanol in the presence of NiP-H3PO2, the main reaction product is ethyl levulinate (95% selectivity).